Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Christmas
Rhianna Benson
The festive period is undoubtedly up there with one of the most romantic times of year.
Of course, there's Valentine's Day, but bright red flowers and heart-shaped chocolate are becoming rather cliche.
And summer can be great for couples who need some well-deserved, sun-soaked one-on-one time.
But is there truly anything more romantic than cosying up to your loved-one in front of a roaring fire, hot chocolates in hand, watching Love, Actually before exchanging thoughtful Christmas gifts?
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It turns out, however, that there's a brand new dating trend doing the rounds this winter that has left lonely hearts out there terrified of falling in love.
According to Relationship Expert and founder of the Wingman App, Tina Wilson, there has been an increase is people having their heartbroken after falling victim to 'ice-skating dating'.
According to Tina - who exclusively caught up with Tyla earlier this week - this festive dating trend occurs 'when someone glides into your life and say and do the right things initially but they appear reluctant to progress past the dating stage'.
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She went on to tell us: "At the start they had smooth moves and were gracious and charming but conversations about meeting your friends and family are firmly avoided at all costs.
"Things can turn cold quickly as they just want the thrill of dating and prefer to skate on the surface and keep things non-committal."
Tina continues: "The Ice Skater does not see your relationship as serious and you must accept the relationship won’t progress past the dating phase or decide it is not going to work out in the long run and part company."
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Talk about savage!
It's not just 'ice-skating dating' that singletons have to be on the look out for this year, however.
Apparently, there's another new dating term - fittingly called 'Mistletoeing' - to describe a more savage form of ghosting, in that it happens during the usually-romantic festive period.
According to Tina, this can be defined by 'a burst of intense romance which then follows a sudden or unexplained disappearance. Just like kissing under the mistletoe'.
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Elaborating on her description, Tina exclusively told us: "When two people inadvertently find themselves beneath the plant, the expectation and initial enthusiasm for passion and a kiss is strong but can be short lived.
"There is no valid reason or explanation for the disappearing act, leaving the mistletoe confused and even hurt."
She continued: "Feelings can be more heightened due to the holiday season and love filling the air all-around.
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"Therefore the feelings of rejection can put a real downer on the festivities if you are the victim in this situation."
Get in touch with Tina at www.tinawilson.co/contact or check out the Wingman App - a free dating app that lets your friends play matchmaker.